Episode 6 - Kasia Givenrod - Assessment, Unified PE, and Advocating to Politicians
Mar 6, 2023
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Kasia Givenrod, SHAPE America Teacher of the Year, discusses assessments, Unified PE, and advocacy work. Topics include positive language impact, journey into APE, benefits of Unified PE, favorite teaching tools, budgeting wisely, and continuous learning in education.
Effective assessment methods are crucial for students with significant needs in adapted PE.
Advocating for policies supporting health and physical education improves students' well-being.
Deep dives
Kasha's Background and Teaching Experience
Kasha is a seasoned adapted PE specialist from California with 16 years of teaching experience. Initially teaching general PE for six years, she transitioned to adapted PE for the past decade, catering to students with moderate to severe needs. Her caseload includes around 45 students across five schools, focusing on what she terms 'students with significant needs.' Kasha's unconventional path to becoming an adapted PE specialist involved psychology majoring and dedicated coursework in kinesiology and adapted physical education.
Assessment Methods and Tools for Students
Kasha emphasizes the importance of effective assessment methods for her students, particularly utilizing assessments like TGM-D3 and CAR-R2 for younger students, and the BOT-2 for higher-functioning students at the secondary level. She highlights a criterion test, the Motor Skills Inventory, as a versatile tool that measures skills development, especially for students she tracks progress over the years. Kasha's innovative approach to assessing students' motor skills involves a combination of standardized and criterion-based assessments tailored to individual needs.
Incorporating Visuals and Technology for Enhanced Learning
Kasha's instructional strategies revolve around the use of visuals and technology to enhance learning experiences. She utilizes visual station signs for clear activity guidance and the Exercise Buddy app for evidence-based exercise programs, particularly beneficial for students with autism. Despite outdoor teaching limitations in Southern California, Kasha's creative visual aids and tech integration provide engaging and effective learning environments.
Advocating for Health and Physical Education Policies
Kasha's active participation in advocacy efforts, such as Shape America's Speak Out Day in Washington, DC, showcases her dedication to promoting policies supporting health and physical education in schools. Through engaging with representatives and highlighting funding needs for professional development and holistic education under Title II and Title IV Part A, Kasha demonstrates a proactive approach in shaping educational policies to benefit students' well-being and educational experiences.
For the second week in a row we are joined by a SHAPE America Teacher of the Year. This week it is Kasia Givenrod from, Southern California. Kasia’s expertise in the field appears in every topic we discuss. She goes in depth on assessments, her affinity for Unified PE, and the recent advocacy work with SHAPE America in Washington D.C. Find Kasia on Twitter and Instagram @ape_mrsg. Please be sure to like and follow the show!
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